ZIONIST MISSION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10687, 6 September 1920, Page 5

ZIONIST MISSION

GATHERING AT TOWN HALL

ADDRESS BY MR ISRAEL COHEN,

There was a largo gathering at the Town Hall last night to listen to an address by Mr Israel Cohen, 8.A., on “Zionism and British Mandate Over Palestine-’’ The Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) presided, and amongst other prominent citizens on the platform were the Acting-Governor-Genoral (Sir Robert Stout), the Prime Minister (tho Right Hon. TV. F. Massey), the Rev. H. van Stavercn, Mr R. A. Wright, M.P., and Mr J. O’Donovan (Commissioner of Police). In welcoming the 'Zionist mission to New Zealand, Mr Luke, said that all were aware of the object of the mission. Funds were needed to build up a new Palestine, and he felt sure that the people of the Dominion would assist to bring about the desired object. Ho wished the mission every success on behalf of the citizens of Wellington, who especially welcomed Mr Cohen to the city. (Applause.)

■ RELIGION AND IDEALISM. Sir Robert Stout, wh,o was received with applause, stated that Palestine was a small place, and was not larger than the provincial district of Wellington. It was responsible for three religions—Jewish, Christian, and Mahommedan. Referring to the Jews, Sir Robert said it was their religion and idealism that had kept them together, and they loved the place from whence they had sprung. It was their wish to return there now, that the op n " ditions made such an event possible. They had no desire to interfere with the rights of those who had their honie in Palestine, and who were of another race ‘ hut to buy land, settle their people .there, and to live amicably with everyone. The Jewish race had ih© same rights as the British people under, tho British flag, and some ot England's greatest people had been Jews. The first Hugh Commissioner appointed to administer over Palestine (Sir Herbert Samuel) Jew and Lord Reading (Chief Justice of England) was anotner. (Applause.) In fact, some of the most eminent people of the Empire were members of the Jewish race. The desire was to settle in Palestine the Jews who had suffered so greatly m parts of Mropo from those fearful pogroms that were nob unknown to-day. • He doubted if the Jews in New Zealand—and their numbers were small compared with the. population —would he induced to go to Palestine, as. they were living in peace and comfort in the Dominion and taking a prominent part in the welfare of the country. “PROPHECIES 'WILL BE FUL. i FILLED;”

The Prime Minister said he was not a Zionist, although the movement had his hearty support. He believed Train Sir Robert Stout, that the Jews j ot Now Zealand would not go to Palestine. The Jewish race, he said, had special characteristics which kept them together. Lord Beaconsfield. of England’s greatest Prime Ministers, was'a Jew, as was the late .Sir Julius Voeel, 'who was Prime Minister of New Zealand. - Jews , ,had distmgiushed themselves in every phase of life m the civilised countries of the world} and ho believed the prophecies of the Scriptures would bw fulfilled, und wer in fact being fulfilled to-day. The taking of Palestine under General Allenby and the granting of a. mandate to England, over the country, he - believed, was one of them. (Applause.) Mr Massey quoted Scripture in support of the happenings that had taken place of Tate, add he was well received by,, the . audience, MR ISRAEL COHEN, B.A. "THE GREAT "POWER OF ENGLAUP.” Mr Israel Cohen, " who is A fluent speaker, was heartily applauded on rising to speak. «After, thanking The distinguished gentleman on the platform for the courtesy they had shown him, he said that for 2000 years theip had been speculation hs .to what the ultimat© destiny of .Palestine would bo. Sevmi crusades had failed to conquer Palestine, and to-day it had been relieved by the great power of Britain. The first episode of the war was in relation to Palestine, as far as ™e Allies were concerned, and it .wsm not until victories fell to the British arms in, that country that success was at tained in : Europe. . Mr that when the British people we m gloom the dawn came in the East and gradually spread across Europe. g Continuing he said that Britain did not miter the war for aggrandisement, bSt for righteousness Great Britain JewKeople®to™ PalestiL and were S4S '>»■r mandate to administer the country. He stated that Palestine would of lit--1\„ to Great Britain in its present impoverished condition, and the Jews impoverisueu people it, find, the , ’but the problem was mainly an mount,- but tne P™ m Arabs in p a i es tino ■■ qqq an d the Jews 80,a Viowever. was an unfounded a|Son as the country was being xulIf bv Britain and would continue to , the -Deopl© were capable of Ate Hat fund; TO. urgently needed to commence the settimr J the poorer Jews as early as tm e °‘ He outlined the programme, e details of wLt had already been frJeranilshed in respect to education, “X (including an eloquent address, whth wTs lUnSi to with rapt atten£on was accorded prolonged applause. tIO M’ r B A Wright, M.V who moved „ *j; o to of thanks to Mr Cohen for. his ad dress .and to Sir Robert, Stout, the Prime Minister and the Mayor, said that much was owed to the Jews and that the moral codo of the British people was founded on five of the Commandments. . The motion was carried by acclamation.